Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO@ZnS Core–Shell Heterostructures for Malachite Green and Rhodamine B Dye Degradation

Abstract

The one‐step green synthesis of wide band gap zinc oxide@zinc sulfide (ZnO@ZnS) core–shell nanostructures offers promising prospects in wastewater treatment. These nanostructures exhibit a porous nature crucial for effective dye adsorption, as evidenced by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) and microscopic characterization. The synthesized material demonstrates high stability and minimal agglomeration, verified through BET analysis and zeta potential measurements. X‐ray powder diffraction confirms the presence of ZnO and ZnS phases. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the development of porous nanorods on the core surface, maximizing the surface area for dye adsorption. In wastewater treatment, the nanostructures exhibit notable performance, degrading 90% of malachite green and 50% of rhodamine B dyes within 120 min under normal conditions. Detailed discussions delve into the degradation mechanism, elucidating the major species responsible for the process. This study underscores the potential of ZnO@ZnS nanostructures in efficient organic pollutant removal, marking a significant advancement in environmental remediation.